Setback in Clerkenwell Green suffragette statue fight

CAMPAIGNERS battling to put up a talking eight-foot statue of a leading “socialist suffragette” faced a setback this week as they failed to receive government funding.

Islington South MP Emily Thornberry has backed plans for the statue of Sylvia Pankhurst on Clerkenwell Green. Members of the Sylvia Pankhurst Memorial Committee, who are behind the project, said they were “sad” to have missed out on the first round of funding from the Women’s Vote Centenary Grant Scheme.

The £1.5million scheme supports com­munity groups cele­brating the centenary of some women gaining the vote for the first time.

“I am sad we didn’t get the money but we are hopeful for the second round of funding applications, which are opening this week,” said Megan Dobney, of the Sylvia Pankhurst Memorial Committee.

The committee needs to find £75,000 for the statue, with £7,000 already raised through crowdfunding.